Associated Students of Madison Student Council Representatives voted to adopt several campaigns Wednesday, including one which will produce criteria about what students want to see in the Diversity Plan.
The other approved campaigns pertained to topics such as tenants’ rights, sexual assault prevention and response as well as building relationships with officials at different University of Wisconsin-Madison schools and colleges.
ASM Vice Chair Mia Akers, who will lead the campaign, introduced the Diversity Plan Campaign with Rep. Justin Bloesch, who serves on the Ad Hoc Diversity Planning Committee, Diversity Chair Jessica Behling and Rep. Courtney Jackson.
According to Bloesch, the university’s former diversity plan expired in 2008 and was not replaced. Although UW-Madison has a program called “Inclusive Excellence” that addresses diversity, Bloesch said there are many reasons the university needs another comprehensive plan. For instance, he said many minority groups are still underrepresented on campus.
The ad hoc committee, which is composed of UW-Madison students, staff and faculty, is still in the process of gathering student feedback about diversity on campus. Bloesch said they will hold events like “listening sessions” to hear input.
ASM and other governing bodies will need to approve the Diversity Plan. Before ASM gives their okay, Akers said student government officials will create a set of items they want to see included that reflect the desires of the student body.
Bloesch said within the ad hoc Committee, he is part of a group considering adding an academic requirement to the Diversity Plan. Two possible examples of this could be a revamped ethnic studies requirement or a group where students discuss the experience of being on campus with students from different backgrounds, according to Bloesch.
The ASM campaign will gather criteria by encouraging students to participate in the ad hoc committee’s feedback process, as well as asking for input directly from students.
Akers said it is crucial students’ voices be represented.
“Hopefully every student here benefits from diversity and every student benefits from having a functioning diversity plan,” Akers said.
ASM also unanimously passed a resolution encouraging Dane County Board members to restore funding to the Tenant Resource Center, which offers services such as free counseling about rental rights and responsibilities. In August, the Dane County Human Services Director recommended cutting funding to certain services.
Student Services Finance Committee Chair David Vines, who proposed the amendment, said the Tenant Resource Center is an important resource for students.
Student Council also elected Rep. Sarah Neibart as Shared Governance Chair. She replaces Sean McNally, who resigned from the position due to health reasons. Neibart formerly served as ASM Chief of Staff and as an SSFC chair.
“I’m really excited,” Neibart said. “I think shared governance is really incredible… it gives students a profound opportunity to take responsibility and be active participants in their own governance.”
At the next meeting on Sept. 11, representatives will discuss an affordability campaign they elected to postpone for a week.
